The Leavening of the Pharisees, Sadducees, and Herod
Sermonette by Ted E. BowlingJesus warned of three varieties of leaven that we must guard against, staying aware of the pitfalls that will pull us down and corrupt us.
Is 'The Leavening' of the Pharisees in Us?
Sermonette by Bill OnisickBill Onisick, characterizing the Pharisees as separatists, meticulously following man-made rituals and traditions, but oblivious of the weightier matters of the law, examines the deadly leavening of a Pharisee. The Pharisees performed their roles like actors behind mask, wanting the approval of men by his role-playing of piety. …
The Parables of Matthew 13 (Part Five): The Parable of the Leaven
Bible Study by Martin G. CollinsMost commentators see this parable as a positive message of the growth of the church. However, deeper study shows that they have it exactly backward!
How Much Leaven Can God Take?
Sermon by John W. RitenbaughJohn Ritenbaugh asks the question, "How much leavening would God allow to infiltrate into the church, society, or the individual before He steps in to correct it?" Leaven can symbolically represent false teaching, as in the stifling traditions of the Pharisees, the skepticism of the Sadducees, and the secularism of …
Beware the Leaven
Sermonette by Mike FordThe Jews establishes a fixed date for Shavuot in contradiction to the instruction for counting to Pentecost. This is part of the leavening of the Pharisees.
Parables of Matthew 13 (Part 2): Leaven
Sermon by Richard T. RitenbaughThe Kingdom of God or of Heaven has past, present, and future aspects. The Kingdom parables primarily provide instruction for the present aspect.
The Parable of the Leaven, Expanded
Sermon by Richard T. RitenbaughRichard Ritenbaugh, citing Francis Shaeffer's observation, that bitterness rather than doctrine divides and estranges one member from of Christ's Body from another, suggests that individuals often look for a 'doctrinal' reason to cover up the real reason for leaving a congregation. Perhaps the principal cause of the estrangement …
Holy Days: Unleavened Bread
Bible Study by StaffThe Feast of Unleavened Bread immediately follows the Passover. In it we see how hard it is to overcome and rid our lives of sin.
The Offerings of Leviticus (Part Three): The Meal Offering
'Personal' from John W. RitenbaughThe meal offering represents the fulfillment of the second great commandment, "You shall love your neighbor as yourself." Here is how to understand this offering.
Freedom and Unleavened Bread
Sermon by John W. RitenbaughChristian freedom has nothing to do with location or circumstance but how we think. By imbibing on God's Word, we will incrementally displace our carnality.
Our Daily Bread of Affliction
Sermonette by Bill OnisickBill Onisick, focusing on the concept of the bread of affliction in Deuteronomy 16:3, admonishes us that the unleavened bread we consume consists of purity without hypocrisy, similar to a perfect gem held up to the sunlight. We have been de-leavened, but we know we still have sin in us that has to be purified through a lengthy …
The Law's Purpose and Intent
Sermon by Martin G. CollinsThe effectiveness of a law is found in its purpose and intent rather than the letter. Love and mercy constitute the spiritual fulfillment of the Law.
Righteousness from Inside-Out
'Ready Answer' by David F. MaasMany people fail to understand the kind of righteousness God is looking for. God wants it written on our hearts—not just a set of dos and don'ts.
